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  • Palestinian group ‘unequivocally rejects’ US sanctions over Gaza flotillas

    Palestinian group ‘unequivocally rejects’ US sanctions over Gaza flotillas

    A significant diplomatic confrontation has emerged between Palestinian advocacy organizations and the United States government following the Treasury Department’s imposition of sanctions against six Gaza-based aid groups and the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA). The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated these entities on Wednesday, alleging they function as a “covert support network” for Hamas through its military wing, the Qassam Brigades.

    The PCPA, which coordinates humanitarian flotillas attempting to breach Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza, responded with forceful condemnation. In an official statement released Saturday, the organization expressed “profound dismay” and “unequivocal rejection” of the sanctions, characterizing them as “unilateral administrative measures” lacking judicial foundation or binding international authorization.

    The Treasury’s announcement specifically identified the PCPA as “a front organization for Hamas that operates in accordance with Hamas directives,” citing a 2018 communication from late Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh that referenced the conference as instrumental to Hamas’ international outreach efforts. Zaher Birawi, the UK-based founder of PCPA, was simultaneously sanctioned.

    Among the Gaza-based organizations targeted were Waed Society, Al-Nur, Qawafil, Al-Falah, Merciful Hands, and Al-Salameh. Treasury officials asserted that Hamas security personnel are formally assigned to work within several of these charities, with some organizations allegedly transferring funds directly to Hamas’ military operations.

    Despite these allegations, the sanctioned groups maintain visible humanitarian missions. Their digital platforms showcase programs supporting amputees from repeated conflicts in Gaza, medical assistance for critical war injuries, food and medicine distribution, community support sessions, and advocacy campaigns for Palestinians detained in Israeli facilities.

    Majed al-Zeer, PCPA’s vice president, condemned the sanctions as “a new and blind extension of US policy in absolute support of the Israeli occupation,” asserting the decision aims to restrict Palestinian rights advocacy through internationally recognized channels. The conference reaffirmed its commitment to continue peaceful, rights-based activities, declaring Palestine remains its “moral and political compass.”

    The designations effectively freeze all US-based assets of these organizations and individuals while blocking their access to American banking systems, including credit card processing through Visa and Mastercard. US citizens are now prohibited from conducting transactions with these entities.

    This development occurs amidst heightened international scrutiny of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and represents the latest chapter in the complex relationship between Palestinian civil society organizations and international counter-terrorism financing mechanisms.

  • ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland at T20 World Cup 2026

    ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland at T20 World Cup 2026

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India, concluding weeks of tense negotiations with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). This unprecedented decision follows Bangladesh’s refusal to participate in the tournament citing security concerns for its players.

    According to ESPNcricinfo reports, the ICC notified BCB officials via email on Friday evening after the Bangladeshi board confirmed it had not received government permission to travel to India. The decision comes after three weeks of intensive discussions between cricket’s global governing body and BCB representatives.

    Scotland secured the tournament slot based on their current ICC rankings and extensive T20 World Cup experience, having participated in six of the nine editions since the tournament’s inception in 2007. The European team brings established competitive credentials to the event.

    The conflict escalated when BCB requested relocating Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, citing player safety concerns. This followed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) instruction to IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the 2026 season amid reported violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

    The ICC subsequently rejected BCB’s venue change request during a specially convened video conference. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul maintained the board’s position against playing in India following this rejection. Reports indicate BCB pursued the matter through the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee, though official outcomes remain undisclosed.

  • Air France resumes flights to Dubai after suspension due to geopolitical situation

    Air France resumes flights to Dubai after suspension due to geopolitical situation

    Air France has reinstated its commercial flight operations to Dubai following a 24-hour suspension prompted by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The airline confirmed service restoration on Saturday after carefully evaluating regional security conditions.

    The temporary grounding came amid heightened military posturing from the United States toward Iran. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a US naval armada was advancing toward the Persian Gulf while simultaneously asserting that Washington remained vigilant regarding Iranian activities. Despite this show of force, Trump subsequently tempered expectations of immediate military engagement, suggesting Tehran might be open to diplomatic discussions.

    Air France issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to passenger safety, noting the airline would “continuously monitor regional developments to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security.” The suspension primarily affected the Paris-Dubai route, a key connection between European and Middle Eastern business hubs.

    KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, part of the same aviation group as Air France, implemented more extensive flight restrictions. The Dutch carrier suspended services to multiple Middle Eastern destinations indefinitely and confirmed it would avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, and other regional nations. This decision followed security assessments by Dutch aviation authorities.

    The geopolitical tensions stem from recent protests across Iran and subsequent government crackdowns, which prompted Trump to repeatedly threaten military strikes against Iranian targets. Aviation analysts note that commercial airlines frequently adjust routes and schedules during periods of regional instability to minimize risks to civilian aircraft.

  • 61 killed, 110 injured in heavy snowfall, rains in Afghanistan

    61 killed, 110 injured in heavy snowfall, rains in Afghanistan

    Afghanistan is confronting a severe humanitarian crisis following a series of devastating winter storms that swept across the nation. Preliminary reports from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirm a tragic death toll of 61 individuals, with an additional 110 people sustaining injuries. The catastrophic weather conditions, characterized by intense snowfall and torrential rains, occurred from Wednesday through Thursday, with official assessments released on Saturday.

    Beyond the grave human cost, the extreme weather has inflicted substantial damage to infrastructure and housing. According to NDMA estimates, 458 residential dwellings have been either completely demolished or partially damaged, displacing numerous families and exacerbating the nation’s existing humanitarian challenges.

    Authorities emphasize that these figures remain provisional as comprehensive evaluation efforts continue across multiple affected regions. The assessment process has been hampered by persistent severe conditions, including the closure of several vital transportation arteries. Critical highway connections between the national capital Kabul and surrounding provinces remain impassable due to accumulated snow and hazardous travel conditions.

    The widespread disruption extends beyond transportation, with communities across Afghanistan experiencing frigid temperatures and limited access to essential services. The compounding factors of infrastructure damage, blocked supply routes, and extreme cold pose significant challenges for disaster response teams working to deliver aid to isolated populations.

  • Snow, heavy rain kill at least 61 in three days in Afghanistan

    Snow, heavy rain kill at least 61 in three days in Afghanistan

    A devastating series of winter storms has struck Afghanistan, resulting in a significant humanitarian crisis. Official reports from the country’s disaster management authority (ANDMA) confirm that at least 61 individuals have lost their lives over a three-day period from Wednesday to Friday. The severe weather conditions, characterized by heavy snowfall and torrential rains, have primarily impacted the central and northern provinces.

    Beyond the tragic loss of life, the preliminary assessment reveals extensive damage. The toll includes 110 individuals injured and 458 residential properties either partially damaged or completely demolished. ANDMA released these initial figures via a social media update, highlighting the scale of the devastation.

    The human impact is further underscored by the estimation that 360 families have been adversely affected by the extreme weather. In response to the crisis, authorities have issued urgent public advisories. A spokesperson, in a video statement, strongly urged citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to avoid further incidents on treacherous, snow-laden roads.

    Critical infrastructure has been severely disrupted. The Salang highway, a vital national transportation artery, has been rendered impassable and officially closed, as announced by the provincial government of Parwan. This closure has stranded numerous travelers, particularly on a mountain pass within the central Bamyan province, where emergency efforts are underway to distribute essential food supplies to those trapped.

  • This is spinal… brat? Charli xcx stars in mockumentary ‘The Moment’

    This is spinal… brat? Charli xcx stars in mockumentary ‘The Moment’

    British pop phenomenon Charli XCX delivers a razor-sharp satire of music industry mechanics in “The Moment,” a mockumentary premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. The film presents a fictionalized version of the artist wrestling with creative authenticity versus commercial demands following her massively successful “brat” album era.

    Portraying an exaggerated diva version of herself, Charli XCX navigates the pressures of arena tour preparations while clashing with industry figures who seek to perpetuate her profitable “brat” persona. The narrative tension crystallizes through conflicts between her creative director Celeste (Hailey Gates) and a commercially-driven film director Johannes (Alexander Skarsgård), who envisions a sanitized, market-friendly tour production.

    The screenplay, crafted by Bertie Brandes and debut feature director Aidan Zamiri, employs familiar music industry archetypes to critique the machinery of pop stardom. Zamiri acknowledges creative debt to Rob Reiner’s seminal “This Is Spinal Tap,” though the film updates the formula for the streaming era and hyper-commercialized music landscape.

    Charli XCX revealed at the festival that the project reflects her genuine desire to pivot from her current creative identity. “I am really wanting ‘brat’ to stop and actually really pivot as far away from it as possible,” she stated, emphasizing artists’ need to constantly reinvent themselves. The mockumentary represents one of three Sundance features featuring the artist, signaling her strategic expansion into cinematic endeavors.

    When questioned about her prolific output across multiple projects, the singer referenced lyrics from her hit “365”: “Don’t sleep, don’t eat, just do it on repeat.” The film includes celebrity cameos and absurd industry scenarios that amplify its critique while maintaining comedic delivery, creating both entertainment and commentary on contemporary pop culture dynamics.

  • China’s Xizang sees steady tourism growth in 2025

    China’s Xizang sees steady tourism growth in 2025

    The Xizang Autonomous Region in southwestern China has demonstrated remarkable tourism resilience, welcoming over 70.73 million visitors throughout 2025 according to official data released by the regional culture and tourism department. This represents a substantial 10.71 percent increase compared to the previous year’s figures, with international tourism showing particularly vigorous growth at 36.5 percent, totaling 437,400 inbound travelers.

    The region’s tourism sector has flourished through strategic development of diverse cultural offerings. The cultural industry achieved an output value of 15.01 billion yuan (approximately $2.15 billion), marking an impressive 35.29 percent year-on-year growth. Total tourism revenue reached 81.68 billion yuan, reflecting a healthy 9.51 percent increase.

    This sustainable growth trajectory stems from comprehensive preservation and innovative utilization of Xizang’s rich cultural heritage. The fourth national cultural relics census identified 3,346 newly documented heritage sites across the region, positioning Xizang among China’s top regions for archaeological discoveries.

    Since initiating a systematic tourism resource survey in 2023, authorities have cataloged more than 31,000 previously unregistered tourist attractions and experiences. Traditional cultural practices including the Guozhuang Tibetan dance and ancient bull-hide boat competitions have gained popularity as immersive cultural experiences for visitors.

    Regional authorities are implementing advanced digital preservation strategies to safeguard ancient architecture, cultural relics, and intangible cultural heritage. Digital platforms featuring iconic sites like the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Potala Palace have attracted over 2.5 million virtual visits, demonstrating successful integration of technology with cultural conservation efforts.

  • Germany arrests suspected Hamas member over alleged attack plot

    Germany arrests suspected Hamas member over alleged attack plot

    German federal prosecutors have apprehended a Lebanese national identified as “Mohammad S” at Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport, alleging his involvement in a Hamas-orchestrated conspiracy to attack Jewish and Israeli institutions across Europe. The suspect was intercepted upon arrival from Beirut on Friday evening.

    According to official statements, Mohammad S played an operational role in the terrorist network by facilitating weapons procurement, specifically securing 300 rounds of ammunition in August 2025. His arrest connects directly to a broader counterterrorism operation that previously resulted in the detention of three Hamas operatives in October, including alleged co-conspirator “Abed Al G”.

    The earlier arrests occurred during a weapons transfer operation in Berlin, involving two German nationals and one Lebanese individual. Concurrent police raids in Leipzig and Oberhausen uncovered additional evidence of the terrorist network’s activities. This development follows another November apprehension of a Hamas suspect near the German-Czech border.

    Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, Israel and numerous other nations, has seen its operational capabilities diminished by Israeli military actions in Gaza following its October 2023 attacks that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages. Subsequent hostilities have reportedly claimed over 70,000 Palestinian lives according to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry.

    Mohammad S now awaits a federal judicial review to determine pretrial detention arrangements as Germany continues its intensified security measures against international terrorist threats.

  • Trump says UK soldiers in Afghanistan ‘among greatest of all warriors’

    Trump says UK soldiers in Afghanistan ‘among greatest of all warriors’

    A diplomatic firestorm erupted following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial characterization of NATO allies’ contributions to the Afghanistan conflict, triggering widespread condemnation from military families, veterans, and political leaders across multiple nations.

    During a recent Fox News interview, Trump asserted that NATO forces historically avoided front-line combat roles, stating: ‘We’ve never needed them. They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.’ These remarks immediately drew fierce criticism from international officials who characterized them as factually inaccurate and deeply offensive to fallen soldiers.

    The backlash intensified when Prince Harry issued a rare public statement emphasizing that NATO’s Article 5 collective defense provision had been invoked specifically following the 9/11 attacks, marking the only time in the alliance’s history that members were formally obligated to support U.S. military operations. ‘Thousands of lives were changed forever,’ the Afghanistan veteran noted. ‘Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.’

    Statistical data reveals the substantial human cost borne by coalition partners: over 3,500 coalition fatalities occurred during the conflict, with British forces suffering 457 deaths—the second-highest toll after American casualties. Veterans like Corporal Andy Reid, who lost three limbs to an IED explosion, provided firsthand accounts contradicting Trump’s assertions: ‘If [American soldiers] were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well.’

    The political response proved equally forceful. UK Opposition Leader Keir Starmer condemned the remarks as ‘insulting and frankly appalling,’ while Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski—among 33,000 Polish troops deployed to Afghanistan—declared that ‘no one has the right to mock the service of our soldiers.’ Canadian Defense Minister David J. McGuinty emphasized his nation’s participation stemmed from moral conviction rather than obligation.

    Following a Saturday conversation with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Trump posted a modified statement on Truth Social acknowledging British soldiers as ‘among the greatest of all warriors’ and recognizing their 457 fatalities. While stopping short of a direct apology, this revised messaging represented a notable softening of his initial position. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the acknowledgment while maintaining that ‘it should never have been questioned in the first place.’

    The episode highlights ongoing tensions regarding NATO’s strategic future and the complex legacy of multinational military cooperation in prolonged conflicts, with diplomatic relationships showing strain despite Trump’s subsequent attempt to mitigate the damage through revised praise for allied forces.

  • Suicide bombing at Pakistan wedding kills 7, police say

    Suicide bombing at Pakistan wedding kills 7, police say

    A devastating suicide bombing targeted a wedding celebration in Pakistan’s northwestern Dera Ismail Khan district on Friday, resulting in seven fatalities and multiple injuries according to local authorities. The attack specifically struck a building where members of a community peace committee were gathered for the ceremony.

    Police official Muhammad Adnan confirmed that the death toll rose to seven on Saturday as four of the nearly dozen wounded victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Three fatalities had been immediately confirmed following the explosion.

    The targeted peace committees consist of local residents and elders who collaborate with Islamabad’s security initiatives to counter militant activities in the volatile border regions adjacent to Afghanistan. These community groups have frequently been labeled as traitors by extremist organizations operating in the area.

    No militant group has formally claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan), which maintains operations on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, has historically targeted peace committee members. The incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of permitting Pakistani militants to plan cross-border attacks from Afghan territory—an allegation that Afghan authorities consistently deny, maintaining that Pakistan’s militancy issues are domestic matters.